Suspects pose as lawn care providers in home invasion

STEFANIE THOMAS

Published
9:31 am CDT, Friday, May 20, 2011

A woman who opened her door to a man offering lawn services didn't get her grass cut but lost valuables instead, authorities say.

Harris County Sheriff's officials are investigation a home invasion robbery in the 10400 block of Scenic Vista Dr. in unincorporated Humble May 13 after three suspects posing as a lawn crew robbed the homeowner at gunpoint.

"The homeowner says she answered a knock on her front door [around 1 p.m.] and there was a male who asked if she was interested in hiring someonw for lawn services. She said yes," said HCSO spokeswoman Christina Garza. "He asked to see her back yard to determine an estimate, so she let him into her home. They went out the back door and started talking about the lawn services. When they walked back into her house he displayed a handgun and told her to cooperate."

Garza said while the homeowner consulted with the man in her back yard, two accomplices apparently entered the home through the front door. Threatening the homeowner with the gun, the trio reportedly ransacked the woman's home and took several items of value.

A neighbor across the street saw the suspects carry the stolen property to their vehicle, Garza said, and was able to help provide a description of the suspects and getaway car.

The gunman is described as a white male, 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-9 in height, 25-30 years old, with short brown hair.

The second suspect was a Hispanic male, 20-25 years old, , 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-9 in height, with long black wavy hair pulled back into a pony tail.

The third suspect was also a Hispanic male standing 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-9 tall, with black hair.

Garza said the suspect vehicle has been recovered but offered no additional details. No arrests have been made as of Friday afternoon.

"People need to be very, very careful when they open the door, and not open the door to someone they don't know," Garza advised. "Ask for identification through the door without opening it. Call the company and verify they have an employee by that name - don't take a uniform for granted, a lot of people use them to gain entry. Is there legitimate signage on the car? Do your checks. And if you're not expecting anyone, don't open the door."

To report suspicious activity, persons or vehicles, Garza recommended calling the local authority's non-emergency line. If there is imminent danger of bodily harm, call 911.

"Neighbors are the eyes and ears of your neighborhood. Nobody knows better what belongs and what doesn’t," Garza said. "If there's a car that seems out of place, take a good description and if possible a license plate number and call it in. Watch each other's back. We'd rather for you to be wrong than for something to happen."